Banking figures may face public inquiry

KEY players in the banking crisis could be hauled before a televised public inquiry after a report on the issue failed to pin the blame on any bankers or politicians for the “financial mania” that gripped the country.

A referendum will be held this year on giving Oireachtas committees more powers of inquiry to force those responsible for the banking mess to be answerable to the taxpayer, who is footing a €67 billion bailout bill.

“When the taxpayers are paying so much to rescue the banks, I think it would be proper that those that are personally culpable would be brought before an Oireachtas committee and would answer for what they have done,” said Finance Minister Michael Noonan.